The refreshed 2017 Skoda Octavia RS has been revealed… and it’s the fastest series-production Octavia RS ever.
WITH 169KW OF POWER (an increase of 7kW) the new Skoda Octavia RS is the most-powerful series-production model in the vehicle’s history. The diesel variant continues with its current output of 135kW.
The new Octavia RS cops a redesigned front section which features a wider grille and new headlights and beefed up front air intakes, the rear gets a new black diffuser and both wagon and liftback get a different spoiler. There’s also a tweaked interior with a new infotainment system. “Skoda-typical ‘Simply-Clever’ solutions include an umbrella under the passenger seat and a removable LED lamp in the boot of the wagon”.
Like other models in the Octavia range, the new RS variant gets the same in-glass capacitive touchscreens, with the top variant getting a 9.2-inch unit with sat-nav, WLAN hotspot and optional LTE module.
Skoda hasn’t released images of the interior, but expect it to follow the theme set by the refreshed Octavia range, but with RS flourishes which will likely include bespoke sports-style seats and RS badging around the cabin.
The new Octavia RS is 15mm lower than its predecessor and the rear track is 30mm wider now which means this new variant should be even pointier and stable on a twisting road. Wheel sizes, as standard, remain at 18 inches with 19-inch alloys available as a cost option.
The tweaked petrol motor makes 169kW and 350Nm of torque from 1500-4600rpm which is a good spread, and it’ll get to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds. In Europe, the Octavia RS 2.0 TSI is equipped with a manual 6-speed manual gearbox, optionally with a 6-speed DSG. In Australia, it’s likely to be offered only with the DSG. The diesel variant offers 135kW and 380Nm from 1750rpm and will get to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. The diesel Octavia RS can be had as front- or all-wheel drive.
Like the rest of the new Octavia range, the RS will offer Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detect, which warns the driver of vehicles in the blind spot, and Rear Traffic Alert, which monitors side and rear traffic when leaving a parking space. The Crew Protect Assist closes windows and sunroofs in the event of an imminent accident, tightens driver and passenger seatbelts and works in conjunction with the improved Front Assist including city emergency braking and predictive pedestrian protection.
Skoda hasn’t released pricing for the refreshed Octavia RS or announced when it’ll arrive Down Under, but we’re expecting more information early next year.
If they made the petrol in AWD they would have my attention! Ironic given the petrol would be the greater risk for losing traction/wheelspin so they put the AWD on the diesel only! WTF? If I could find a hot hatch based AWD wagon with a manual transmission I’d buy it tomorrow. The Levorg was so very, very close. Now it would also seem the Octavia was also close but no AWD = not interested. I would probably accept DSG (over the CVT of a Levorg) but would much prefer manual.
Yep, I get that. My pick would be the diesel variant, but I travel long distances. – Isaac